Koppa is a small town and prominent taluk headquarters located in the Chikmagalur district,  situated 763 meters above sea level. It is covered by the splendid Sahyadri mountain range and is regarded as the ‘Kashmir of Karnataka’. It hosts many historic temples with great religious significance. One among them is the epic ‘Sri Kamandala Ganapathi Temple’. So let’s discover some interesting facts about this beautiful temple.

Kamandala Ganapathi!

Kamandala Ganapathi Temple is precisely located on Siddaramata Road in Kesave village of Koppa taluk (4kms from Koppa bus stand). The iconic temple is 1000 years old with great historical significance, being lesser known though. Lord Ganesha is the holy deity of the temple which is an extremely historic temple known for its power. It is said that anybody simply visiting the temple or performing seva’s or meditation to this Kamandala Ganapathi at the temple is said to have all their desires fulfilled at once.

Kamandala Ganapathi is famous throughout the country for its ‘Kamandala Tirtha’ which is a mysterious, unending, constantly flowing water reservoir. It is nothing but the origin of the Brahmi river right in front of the sacred Lord Ganesha idol. The reservoir is considered to be extremely holy and hence the temple is named after the ‘Kamandala Teertha’ as ‘Kamandala Ganapathi Temple’. Anybody taking a dip in the same is said to be relieved of all miseries, and mainly overcome ‘Shani Dosha’.

As per the legends, the Dev Ganesha idol in the temple was established by Devi Parvathidevi which is an extremely pleasing idol. Lord Ganesha in the temple is sitting in a position called ‘Sukhasana’. With one hand holding ‘Modaka’ and the other hand depicting ‘Abhayahasta’. The temple is an extremely holy one as Dev Ganesha fulfills the desires of everybody who visits the temple.

Kamandala Ganapathi, A boon indeed!

Kamandala Ganapathi Temple is a solution to people enduring ‘Shani Dosha’. And, a boon to all, especially students. Who find difficulties excelling in studies, or who constantly face failures in academic aspects; as Lord Ganapathi is ‘Vidya Ganapathi’ the giver of knowledge. The temple was the only resolution to Goddess Parvathi’s ‘Shani dosha’. Hence the temple has remained highly significant as a great solution to people enduring ‘Shani dosha’ who come from across the country to have their dosha’s resolved.

The god of troubles called ‘Shani Devaru’ once served troublesome to Goddess Parvathi Devi and hence she finds it extremely burdensome. In resolution to this, gods and goddesses suggest her to go down to ‘Bhooloka’(earth) and perform ‘Tapas’ (meditation) of Lord Shani. Parvathi then starts looking for the best place on earth to perform tapas. She finds the perfect divinity in a place called ‘Mrugavadhe’ (18 km from this temple).

In order to avoid obstacles to her tapas, Parvathi Devi wanted to offer her prayers to Lord Ganesha to help her get rid of the troublesome Shani dosha. And hence she establishes Lord Ganapathi here. Hence it is said that anybody who comes over to this place and performs meditation is said to be subjected to Lord Ganapathi’s special blessings.

Kamandala Teertha is nothing but the place of origin of River Brahmi which is right at the feet of Lord Ganesha. It is extremely holy because it is not just a river but a river created by Lord Brahma himself. Let’s look into its beautiful story.

When Lord Parvathi came here to offer her prayers to Lord Ganesha in regard to her tapas, lord Brahma was pleased by her decision. Hence Lord Brahma comes down personally and blesses her by sprinkling holy water from his sacred ‘Kamandala’(holy pot). This holy water emerged as the divine Brahmi river which we see in front of the Ganesha idol. Since it is created by Lord Brahma, it is called the Brahmi river.

It sprinkles from Lord Brahma’s Kamandala and as it emerges and flows to a pond in the shape of Kamandala, it is named Kamandala Teertha. The place of origin of river Brahmi is a small little square platform on an 8-petaled flower-like, carved holy stone which is then connected to flow to the Kalyani-Kamandala Teertha. Here, water keeps flowing continually as the holy water in front of Lord Ganapathi throughout the year, ceaselessly which is a real mystery.

‘Ellu Amavasya’

It is said that Parvathi Devi performed a special pooja to Lord Ganesha on ‘Ellu Amavasya’ which is observed on the no moon day in the Margashirsh month (November – December). Hence this particular day is considered to be extremely holy to all especially women.

Lord Ganesha in the temple is worshipped every day with sacred rituals, poojas, and sanctified abhishekas. Auspicious days like  ‘Sankashti’ (the day dedicated to Lord Ganapathi) and Amavasya is celebrated especially with Maha Abhishekas as a resolution to ‘Grahadaosha’ on these blissful days.

To everybody looking forward to greater academic progress or overcoming difficulties in life or the overall well-being oneself, the holy Kamandala Ganapathi Temple is a must-visit.

Hindu tradition

In the Hindu tradition, Lord Ganesh is the head of all deities and receives the first worship of all activities and worship. Mundkatiya Ganapati Temple is located at Gaurikund near Kedarnath Jyotirlinga in the state of Uttarakhand and is one of the two Ganapati temples formed due to Goddess Parvati.

Lord Ganesh appears here without a head and only with a torso. When Lord Shiva came to Kailasa, Parvati made a boy with her four flours and gave life to the boy. She kept the boy keep him as a guard and went to take bath. Shiva came and cut off the head of the boy with a trident in anger as he was intercepted by the boy. Later, at Parvati’s request, Lord Shiva attached Gajasur’s head to the boy’s torso and gave re-birth to the boy named Gajanana. Gajanan was later blessed as the head of Gana. He was ordained as the first worshiper by Dev Shiva, Maa Parvthi, and all deities and deities. The worship of Hindus of any god does not begin without the worship of Vinayaka primarily. There are several temples of Lord Ganesh in all parts of the country.

Similarly, Goddess Parvati has enshrined Ganapati in the Kamandala Ganapati Temple at Kesave village of Koppa taluk in Chikmagalur district of the state of Karnataka, before performing penance to alleviate the suffering caused by the powerful Saturn planet one among the nine planets. The small temple has historical significance and was built around one thousand years ago. Kesave village is located on the border of the Chikmagalur and Shimoga districts. The temple is located at a distance of 61 km from the district headquarters in Chikmagalur, 11 km from the taluk headquarters in Koppa,71 km from Shimoga, and 293 km from the state capital Bangalore. This temple is at a short distance of 40 km. from Sringeri. Chikmagalur and Shimoga can be reached by train but from there pilgrims can reach Keshave by road.

According to local mythology, Goddess Parvati, the wife of Lord Shiva, faced many problems due to the perversion of Saturn Planet. Maa Parvati considered Saturn’s afflictions to be burdensome. The gods advised Goddess Parvati to make penance about Saturn on the ‘earth’. Parvati searched for a suitable place on earth to perform penance and considered a place called Mrigavadhe, 18 km from the present temple suitable for her penance. Legend is that Ganesh was created in the form of a bachelor

(Brahmachari). Goddess Parvati enshrined Ganapati to get rid of Shani dosh and not to get hindered by her penance. The ‘Saturn Dosha’ of Goddess Parvati was solved in this temple. Devotees can also visit the place where Goddess Parvati performed penance.

According to legends, Lord Ganesh enshrined by Goddess Parvati in the ‘Sukhasana’ posture  appears in the form of a bachelor wearing a Kamandala, with the beloved ‘Modakam’ in one hand and the ‘Abhaya Hastha’ print in the other. Pushkarini in front of Ganesha is in the shape of a lotus. The water in the Pushkarini always touches Ganapati throughout the year. According to the local legend, Pushkarini is the source of the Brahmi river. Hence Pushkarini is called Brahma Tirtham and Ganapati for appearing wearing a Kamandala as Kamandala Ganapathi. It is believed that Goddess Parvati created the Tirtha for the benefit of the devotees. The water that reaches the ground from the hills and appears in the Pushkarini has many medicinal properties.

From here, the Brahmin River originates travels long distances, and joins the Tunga River. It is said that all the sins committed are lost on the visit to Kamandala Ganapathi.

The temple is very sacred as Lord Ganesha fulfills the wishes of the devotees who visit the temple. Devotees meditate Ganapati in this temple and receive the blessings of Ganesha.

Ganesha is the primary God who provides success in education and knowledge. He is called by several names like Gana Nayak, Ganapati, Ganesha, and Vigneswara as he is a destroyer of hurdles (vignamulu). Devotees can fulfill all their desires at once by simply visiting the temple or doing service or meditation to Kamandala Ganapati in the temple. Kamandala Ganapati Temple is a solution for people with ‘Shani Dosham’. The temple is of utmost importance as a solution to the problems of the devotees who are suffering from ‘Shani Dosha’ from all over the country. Devotees believe that drinking water here will cure many ailments. The ‘Kamandala Tirtha’ in the Kamandala Ganapati Temple is famous all over the country. Devotees take baths with Puskarini water to get relief from all their ailments and mainly to overcome the ‘Saturn Dosha’. Many pilgrims visit this temple to take a tirtha and get rid of all their ailments. Kamandala Ganapati Darshan is a boon, especially for students. Ganapati as ‘Vidya Ganapati’ is the provider of knowledge to overcome failures in education and excel in education. Although the Kamandala Ganapati Temple is a unique temple, it has not become popular.

The temple is open from 7.30 am to 12-00 pm. Pujas will not be performed after 12-00 noon. Therefore, if pilgrims want to visit this temple, it is best to visit in the early morning. Accommodation is not available in the village and pilgrims have to stay in Chikmagalur or Shimoga.

References:

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